our new campaign - bellfield’s big build

Imagine a place where community spirit thrives, where creativity is nurtured, and where people of all ages find a sense of belonging. That place is here at Bellfield – our vibrant community hub at the heart of Portobello, owned and run by the community through Action Porty.

Now, you have the chance to be part of its future by investing in the first-ever community share issue in Portobello.

Action Porty is launching a community share issue to raise between £100,000 and £300,000 to transform Bellfield’s Celebration Hall into a flexible, accessible, and energy-efficient space. This transformation will meet growing community demand for different-sized spaces, improve accessibility, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.

By purchasing community shares, you won’t just be investing in a building – you’ll be investing in the social, cultural, and economic heart of Portobello.

This is your chance to be a part of history – to invest in Portobello’s future and leave a lasting legacy. Together, we can transform Bellfield into an even more inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable community space.

community shares Overview

time limited offer

The share offer will launch on Saturday 29th March – event details coming soon – and close on Wednesday 30th April. It is a time-limited opportunity!

price

Shares will cost either £25 or £50 per share, depending on where you live. We hope that supporters will consider buying as many shares as they can afford to help us reach our target.

Votes & membership

All shareholders, no matter how many shares they purchase, will be entitled to one vote at any Action Porty members meeting, alongside existing community members

what are community shares?

Watch this short video to find out…

We will publish more details on our community share offer as soon as we can.

Frequently Asked Questions (& answers!), our business plan and share offer document will be added to this page very soon.

Your investment is more than just financial support – it’s a declaration of faith in the power of community. Community shares are a unique way to invest in what matters most to you. They are withdrawable but non-transferable, meaning your investment supports the community while remaining yours to withdraw in the future.

Importantly, investing in community shares demonstrates community backing to other potential funders, and a successful community share issue will help us unlock a £450,000 capital grant from the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund.

the build

The planned redevelopment will transform our under-utilised Celebration Hall into a dynamic space, including a new upper floor with a unique performance area, flexible meeting room spaces on the ground floor, and vastly improved accessibility, including a lift. This will allow us to meet the growing demand for community spaces while also enhancing our financial sustainability through increased rental income.

Action Porty has a proven track record of community success. From being the first urban community in Scotland to use the Community Right to Buy to establishing popular initiatives such as the Community Café, Action Porty has consistently delivered on its promises. Now, we need your support to take Bellfield to the next level.